10) PrancerWhat starts out as a syrupy, whiney melodrama, as dark as "The House Without a Christmas Tree", with similar themes, turns out to be very Grinchlike as townspeople rally to save the spirit of Christmas. A predictable storyline won't stop children from loving this movie. It might even make some people well up in the old eye sockets...
3 out of 4 elves recommend this christmas movie!
9) Santa Claus: The Movie
This movie was so hyped up. I was a freshman in college, and with a buddy of mine who was also a christmas freak, and we drove 40 miles to see the premiere. It was supposed to be "Santa Claus" as if done by George Lucas - special effects abound, and it was, visually, pretty darn impressive. What I didn't like was Dudley Moore - never a personal favorite. Like "The Grinch", perhaps the hype and the expectations were not met.
3 out of 4 elves recommend this movie!
8) The Santa Clause
It's hard to imagine Tim Allen as Santa. After all, he's supposed to be pretty cranky in real life. Anyway, don't trust rumors, and here he proves that he can not only act like a good father, but he also just might be able to fill a Santa suit. At least with some pillows. This movie works really well, except for the annoying elf played by an annoying actor.
4 out of 5 elves recommend this movie!
7) Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
A grand bah humbug if there ever was one - and a great introduction to the Dickens tale for any child - though it is pretty scary. The fantastic Jim Backus ("Mr. Howell") as Scrooge was the first Scrooge I ever saw - and led me to pick up the book, even though I was only eight years old. The story rang true, as Scrooge learns the lessons we all know he needs. We really have to look at some of the more traditional Scrooges, from Alistair Sim to George C. Scott to Patrick Stewart (a really good TNT movie version), probably in their own post. We probably won't get to the Henry Winkler or Bill Murray renditions - although who knows? There are only SO many xmas films. Not counting "Family Man" with Nicholas Cage, which is an excellent Scroogeish film for the new century. Eventually we could even discuss all of the tv shows that use this tale as the basis for thier obligatory Christmas episode...but that would be too much, wouldn't it?
7 out of 10 elves recommend this Christmas Movie!
6) Christmas in Connecticut
This film really is quite funny, and it still stands up today. It's got all the basics: a heroine out-of-place (she is a writer for a "yankee magazine-like" publication who really has no idea how to do the things she writes about!); a scenic new england setting; snowfall; changes of heart; carol sings; and acts of goodness driven by holiday tidings. You'll recall Barbara Stanwyck from repeats of the Big Valley. This movie is being remade starring Jennifer Garner.
7 out of 10 elves recommend this Christmas movie!
5) Christmas Vacation
I actually liked this movie better than the original "National Lampoon's Vacation"..and it has nothing to do with my affection for holiday culture. The movie contains many scenes which will make you say "I've been there..." or "I know someone just like that...". Chevy is at his comedic best, in his best effort since "Caddyshack". Has he done anything worthwhile since this movie? The pacing is similar to "Home Alone", doesn't it? Go Griswolds!
8 out of 10 elves recommend this Christmas movie!
4) Miracle on 34th Street
While there have been numerous remakes and even a colorized version of the original, I still enjoy the genuine B&W movie the best. The tale is one that tugs at the heart in all of us: Is Santa real? At what age will our children question the reality? How do we deal with it? Is it better to support myths if they promise a happier moment in time? When a Mother teaches a child never to believe only what you learn in school, does it hinder the child's creativity as well as the imagination? Will that child grow up with any less sense of logic or ethics? Anyway...as a Christmas flick, this movie ranks among the best, and we all know HOW IT TURNS OUT!
9 out of 10 elves recommend this Christmas movie!
3) It's a wonderful life
Perhaps the greatest film ever made, this Frank Capra classic has been responsible for hundreds of films and tv episodes that borrow its' themes. Among the latest was the "The Family Man", a nice picture starring Nicholas Cage. The saga of George Bailey is one which strikes a chord with everyone who has ever been down or out, or considered themselves a failure. Regardless of its' holiday theme, I still find myself compelled to watch it throughout the year.
10 out of 10 elves recommend this Christmas movie!
2) Elf
This was a suprise addition to the list. It's bust-your-gut funny, and any movie that inspires an annual sleepover candy-eating party deserves to be on the list (our annual "Elf" party is traditionally the night before Thanksgiving!). Will Farrell is hilarious and James Caan does a great job as the father who can't accept his looney son. Zooey Deschanel also shines as the love interest.
10 out of 10 elves recommend this Christmas movie!
1) A Christmas Story
This is the best christmas movie of all time. Most people I know can recite every line, except for the word Schwarz said, because then they'd have to wash their mouths out with soap.
10 out of 10 elves recommend this Christmas movie!
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